105 posts categorized "Windows"

Saturday, 17 September 2016

If you are trying to assist someone troubleshoot any software or hardware problem knowing the machine configuration can be a big help. If you have AutoCAD installed there is an easy way to get it in a format that is easy to share.

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

It took me a while to get the release Windows 10 installed on hardware which does it justice. I’d been trying the ‘insider’ builds on an old machine which only gave me a chance truly test one aspect of Microsoft’s latest operating system: how well it runs on minimal spec hardware.

I thought it was impressive Windows 10 installed on a 4 year old Netbook—Atom processor, 2GB ram, 1024x600 screen—at all, let alone run acceptably! It was useful to evaluate the desktop focused user interface improvements in 10, if not their performance.

Fixing Windows 8(.1) for the desktop?

Although it seems few ‘desktop’ users liked Windows 8 UI, on a touch machine the radical changes from 7 mostly made sense. Perhaps the biggest fault was a reliance on ‘discovery’ of the fly-out controls/menus and, even in 8.1, dismal explanation of the changes for new/migrating users.

I’m one of the minority who preferred 8, even more so 8.1, on a desktop too. With frequently used apps pinned to the taskbar I rarely used the Start menu in 7. In 8 I found the ability to configure and name tile groups for lesser used apps on the Start Screen far more convenient than 7 Starts limited pinned icons, apps list or (even worse) a desktop full of application icons.

Yes, 8 jarred when the full screen menu appeared but the ‘Use desktop background” Start option introduced in 8.1 helped with that. The option to launch direct to the desktop meant you could almost avoid the Start screen altogether if the desktop was your focus.

Irrespective of that, and given the market reaction, Microsoft had to ‘fix’ 8 and their focus on the desktop in 10 is entirely understandable.

The thing I most worried about through the 10 preview was touch as it didn’t seem to get much attention until late in the process. Now I have the release 10 on my ATIV hybrid tablet I’m happy to find ‘fixing’ the desktop, ‘restoring’ the Start menu, hasn’t broken the touch interface.

There’s more info on the Hololens hardware — the first fully untethered, see-through ‘holographic’ computer that will arrive with Windows 10 — in the video below:

“Windows 10 is the first platform to support holographic computing with APIs that enable gaze, gesture, voice, and environmental understanding on an untethered device. Microsoft HoloLens, together with Windows 10, will bring high‑definition holograms to life in your world”

Today (31-3-2015) Microsoft launch MS-DOS Mobile, a new OS designed especially for Lumia smartphones. Microsoft are going back to where productivity started for millions of people, launching a beautifully simple OS. The MS-DOS Mobile preview is an essential download for those who remember life before Windows, those who want to go back to BASIC, or even those looking to boot into DOS for the first time. MS-DOS Mobile is available for download today http://lumia.ms/msdosmobileFootage courtesy of the Microsoft Archives.

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

I really like the HERE Drive+ GPS application on my Nokia phones. Although I usually know where I’m going I run it all the time for traffic and speed limit reminders.

Recently swapping from Drive+ to any other app, even dismissing an incoming call, would cause it to close as it reappeared full screen. This was annoying as the destination and acquired traffic info were missing when it relaunched.

I tried removing and reinstalling the Drive+ app alone but that didn’t help. Removing all the HERE apps (Maps, Drive+, Transit and City Lens), rebooting the phone, then reinstalling fixed it. As data is saved in my Here account it was restored in the reinstalled apps. HERE to stay again!

Tuesday, 03 February 2015

Tomorrow evening’s Microsoft Cloud & Infrastructure Meetup is a look at Windows 10. Meetup at Microsoft Auckland from 17:00 for pizza, beer and networking followed by a demo and open forum discussion. I’ll be there, if you want to come just RSVP via meetup.

Welcome back! We start this year off with a great Meet Up. Join us to hear Nathan Mercer present the new Windows 10 and how it's the most personal version to date, sharing apps, services and content across all your Windows 10 devices. See a demo of Windows 10 and be ready for plenty of discussion